Longelyguru Yoga Dialogues: Recent Episodes
Ryan Spielman
In these dialogues I explore with my guests what an authentic Yoga and spirituality looks like and feels like in our 21st century culture. I hope to make you think deeply about who you are and how to live. Wishing you a rich and fruitful journey!
My guest is Revd. Dr. Nicholas Buxton. Nicholas is a priest in the Church of England and runs a meditation centre in Newcastle. We discuss christian contemplative practice, the buddhist notion of emptiness and the personal and impersonal nature of the God.
He is the author of several books including: Tantalus and the Pelican: Exploring Monastic Spirituality Today, The Wilderness Within: Meditation and Modern Life. Hehas a PhD in Buddhist philosophy from Cambridge. Check out Nicholas’ meditation centre in Newcastle, Just Meditation.
Check out Nicholas’ Wise Studies course on the contemplative practices of the early desert fathers, the beginnings of the monastic christian tradition.
The post LG39 – Nicholas Buxton – Christian Priest Yogi With Buddhist Inclinations appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
In this episode my guests are Genny Wilkinson Priest and Sarai Harvey-Smith. We discuss two topics, the allegations about Pattabhi Jois’ sexual misconduct and the ambiguity around the qualifications to become and maintain status as a recognised KPJAYI Ashtanga teacher.
Genny quit full-time hard news journalism to focus on her yoga studies, becoming a Shri K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute Authorised Level 1 teacher, as well as British Wheel of Yoga and Yoga Alliance-certified teacher. She is fascinated by yoga philosophy, and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in the Traditions of Yoga and Meditation at SOAS in London. She returns as often as she can to Mysore, India to study with Ashtanga Yoga lineage holder Sharath Jois, who has given her authorisation to teach Ashtanga as set out at the KPJAYI. She is also a BWY-qualified Children’s Yoga teacher. In addition to teaching at triyoga, she is the Yoga Manager at Europe’s biggest group of yoga studios. She continues to write, editing Pushpam — a new, global yoga magazine published by Hamish Hendry that explores the state of the practice of contemporary yoga. Her articles have also appeared in Huffington Post, the Daily Mail, Elephant Journal, Cosmopolitan, and Yogadork. She is also the yoga columnist for Healthista.com. You can find out more about her at www.gennyyoga.com
With over 16 years teaching experience and 20 years of practice under her belt, Sarai is a Senior Yoga Teacher, Teacher Trainer and Yoga Teacher Mentor. She has taken many lengthy trips to Mysore, India between 2003 – 2011 to study ashtanga yoga at KPJAYI. She is Authorised Level 2. Sarai has an MA in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy from the University of Essex. She continues her training at the Tavistock Clinic (BPC) and is an Honorary Psychodynamic Psychotherapist within the NHS. She is BACP registered and has a private practice in South West London. www.saraiharveysmith.com
The post LG38 – Genny Wilkinson Priest and Sarai Harvey-Smith – Controversy and Updating Ashtanga Yoga appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
In this episode with Professor Bee Scherer, PhD we discuss the foundations of Buddhist philosophy, the four noble truths, Bee’s work in queering paradigms as a trans/non-binary activist and the relationship between buddhist practice and activism.
Bee is a long-time practitioner of Buddhism and has been globally teaching as a Buddhist lay teacher. Bee currently serves as the vice-chair of the International Lay Buddhist Forum.
After the study of classics, Indic (Sanskrit, Pāli, Prakrits) and Tibetan philology in Germany and the United States, completed by a PhD (Groningen, The Netherlands 2002), Bee published among others on karma; Nāgārjuna and early Mind-only; and, in recent years, on transnational Tibetan Buddhism; radical, reform and socially engaged Buddhism in Asia; and on Buddhist perspectives on gender and sexuality.
Currently, Bee is chair (full professor) in Religious Studies & Gender Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University and directs the INCISE Intersectional Centre for Inclusion and Social Justice research institute. As a trans/non-binary scholar-cum-activist Bee has established the interdisciplinary, transnational Queering Paradigms Social justice academic network and conference series.
Check out more of Bee’s work here.
The post LG37 – Bee Scherer – Queer Bodhisattva appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest is Sarah Shaw. Sarah received her Phd in English from Manchester University. After studying Pali and Sanskrit at Oxford, she began teaching and writing on Buddhist subjects. She has written several books on meditation theory and practice, and jātaka literature. She is the author of several books including Introduction to Buddhist Meditation, The Jātakas: Birth Stories of the Bodhisattaand her most recent book, The Spirit of Buddhist Meditation. She is a member of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford, and Wolfson College. She is a fellow of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies.
Check out her 6 hour audio course on the early teachings of the Buddha at wisestudies.com.
The post LG36- Sarah Shaw – The Early Teachings of the Buddha appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest is Karen O’Brien-Kop. In this episode we discuss two foundational concepts found in the Sankya philosphy, Purusha and Prakriti or pure consciousness and nature, which underpin the main ideas in much of yoga practice including the seminal text, the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.
Karen has been practising yoga in different forms since 1995. After a decade teaching yoga she began pursuing the academic study of yoga. Karen completed the MA in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, in 2014 and is now continuing a PhD in the Department of Religions and Philosophies. Karen is in the third year of her research project, which centres on the Yogasutra of Patanjali as well as other cross-religious textual accounts of yoga in the 4th-5th century CE. Karen has studied Sanskrit with Dr James Mallinson of SOAS, and has been a recipient of the Phiroz Mehta scholarship and the Ouseley Memorial language scholarship.
The post LG35 – Karen O’Brien-Kop – Purusha and Prakriti appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
Luke Jordan is a direct student of Sri K Pattabhi Jois and one of a handful of teachers worldwide Certified by the Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore to pass on the advanced teachings of this traditional Yoga method. Luke holds a Masters degree in Indian Religion specialising in Yoga philosophy. livingashtanga.com
The post LG34 – Luke Jordan – Sankya the Forgotten Sister appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
Gregor Maehle began his yogic practices in the mid-1980s. He’s studied with various yogic and tantric masters, traditional Indian sadhus and ascetics. He spent fourteen months in Mysore, and in 1997 was authorised to teach Ashtanga Yoga by K. Pattabhi Jois. Since then he has branched out into researching the anatomical alignment of postures and the higher limbs of yoga. Together with his wife, Monica, in 1996 he founded 8 Limbs in Perth, Australia. Gregor is the author of 5 books on the practice of Yoga. He has numerous articles available on his blog which I highly recommend.
www.8limbs.com
The post LG33 – Gregor Maehle – From Disappointment to Samadhi appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
I’m speaking with Karan Bajaj, author and striving Yogi. He has written several novels. His newly released novel is called The Yoga of Max’s Discontent. We discuss taking a sabbatical, doing something different with your life and the benefits that come from such a change. He talks about how he integrates the corporate world, family life, travel and spiritual practice. You can find out more about Karan, his novels and his many offerings at www.karanbajaj.com
The post LG32 – Karan Bajaj – Radical Sabbatical appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
In this episode Carolyn Cowan shares her insights on Kundalini Yoga, therapy, addiction, feminism, and more! Carolyn is a Kundalini Yoga teacher, Teacher Trainer and a Psychosexual Therapist specialising in addiction & trauma recovery. She has a huge amount of content online to check out. You can find out more at carolyncowan.com
The post LG31 – Carolyn Cowan – Art, Kundalini and Conscious Sexuality appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
Our guests this episode are Mimi Kuo-Deemer, Kate Ellis and Sarai Harvey Smith. They share their insights and experiences using hands-on adjustments in their classes. We discuss when it’s appropriate to use them, different types of adjustments, what can go wrong and more. I am joined by Liz Frances Hobbs and Genny Wilkinson-Priest who lead two of the interviews. Enjoy!
Top
Sarai Harvey-Smith
saraiharveysmith.com
Mimi Kuo-Deemer mkdeemer.com
Kate Ellis
kateellisyoga.co.uk
Genny Wilkinson-Priest gennyyoga.com
Liz Frances Hobbs lizhobbsyoga.com
If you want to support this podcast rate it and leave a comment on iTunes.
The post LG30 – The Right Touch – Hands-on Adjustments appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest on this episode is Richard Rosen. Richard has been an emissary for the modern Yoga world from the opening of Piedmont Yoga school with Rodney Yee in 1987 to his many articles in The Yoga Journal to his most recent of three books on early hatha practices, Original Yoga: Rediscovering Traditional Practices of Hatha Yoga. You can read more of Richard’s many articles, translations and books at www.richardrosenyoga.com.
The post LG29 – Richard Rosen – Yoga For Everyone appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
In this episode we talk with senior teachers, Anna Ashby, Graham burns and Director of Triyoga, Jonathan Sattin about starting out as a Yoga teacher. I’ve enlisted the help of my two friends and fellow teachers, Genny Wilkinson-Priest and Liz Frances Hobbs for the interviews. Topics include: giving them what they want vs. giving them what they need, mentorship, earning a living, being professional and more. Enjoy!
Graham Burns samanayoga.com
Anna Ashby annaashby.com
Jonathan Sattin triyoga.co.uk
Genny Wilkinson-Priest gennyyoga.com
Liz Frances Hobbs lizhobbsyoga.com
The post LG28 – Advice For Starting Teachers appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest for this episode is Matthew Remski. Matthew teaches yoga philosophy and ayurveda. He is a therapist and the author of several books including Threads of Yoga: A remix of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Family Wakes Us Up & 21st Century Yoga. In this episode we talk about whether you are personally responsible for your ailments, a yogi’s obligation as a global citizen and What We Are Actually Doing In Asana. He frequently writes stimulating and provocative articles that can all be found on his website matthewremski.com.
Enjoy!
The post LG27 – Matthew Remski – 21st Century Yoga appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest is Ashtanga Vinyasa teacher, John Scott. John elegantly describes how the vinyasa method can be used to achieve deep states of concentration and meditation. He shares wisdom from the Guruji Sutras, and answers questions from you, the listening audience about aging, adjusting and the relationship between mind and body. You can find out more about John’s work at johnscottyoga.com
The post LG26 – John Scott – The Guruji Sutras appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest is Martin Aylward. Martin has been leading retreats worldwide, teaching meditation and supporting groups and individuals since 1999. He is the founding teacher of Moulin de Chaves, a residential retreat centre in South West France, where he lives.
Martin works with students around the world in retreats and in ongoing individual support. He also runs an online course WorkSexMoneyDharma.com.
Martin is co-founder, with Mark Coleman, of Mindfulness Trainings, running professional Mindfulness teacher trainings in Europe and the US.
www.martinaylward.com
The post LG25 – Martin Aylward – Multidimensional Practice appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
For over 50 years Paul has been exploring and sharing his experiences on awakening, human potential and how to be deeply happy. In this episode he points out the most important factor for discovering these qualities, unconditional awareness. Pay attention, be present, see the mechanical nature of the body and mind, stop holding … and don’t take it too seriously.
Paul has many offerings on his website with a large collection of audio and video he makes freely available. Check it out at www.paullowe.org
The post LG24 – Paul Lowe – Unconditional Awareness appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
I sit down with Mysore-style Ashtanga teachers, Scott Johnson, Joey Miles and Corrie Preece for a lively discussion on all things Ashtanga from how to teach the unteachable, when is it okay to modify the sequence, the misconception that yoga always feels good, waking up early, hyper-focus on alignment and much more. If you are an ashtangi or interested in learning about Mysore-style classes you can really sink your teeth into this one.
Corrie Preece
corrieananda.co.uk
Scott Johnson
stillpointyogalondon.com
Joey Miles
ashtangayogaleeds.com The post LG23 – Four Mysore Teachers appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest is pregnancy Yoga teacher, Ayala Gill. We talk about how to approach your yoga practice during pregnancy, helpful tips, postnatal yoga, modifying for each trimester and more. Ayala has trained in Iyengar, Ashtanga and Anusara methods, as a mindfuleness meditation teacher and is a practicing doula, assiting women during childbirth. www.ayalagill.com
Check out Ayala’s pregnancy Yoga app. www.pregnancyyogaapp.com
The post LG22 – Ayala Gill – Yoga Baby! appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest is Melanie Cooper. We discuss her new book Teaching Yoga Adjusting Asana and share our experience of what it’s like to be a Yoga teacher. Melanie has been teaching yoga since 1997, and training yoga teachers since 2005. She divides her time between London and Goa practicing and teaching yoga. She currently runs the morning Ashtanga self-practice at The Life Centre in Islington, London and conducts annual teacher trainings in London and at Brahmani Yoga in Goa. melaniecooper.co.uk
The post LG21 – Melanie Cooper – Yoga Teacher Shop Talk appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
Alan Jacobs was born in 1929 in London. From an early age, he has been interested in religion and mysticism. He commenced a personal search for truth, and studied comparative religion. He then entered the Gurdjieff Society in 1957 and remained there until the early seventies. He then met Jiddu Krishnamurti, and studied his teachings until 1979.
Next, he discovered Ramana Maharshi and became familiar with his extensive literature and spiritual practice. He is currently President of the Ramana Maharshi Foundation, UK.
As a poet he has versified for O Books ‘The Bhagavad Gita’, ‘The Principal Upanishads’ and ‘The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius’, as well as compiling a major prose anthology, ‘The Ocean Of Wisdom’. For Watkins Publishing, he edited ‘Ramana, Shankara and the Forty Verses’, versified ‘The Essential Gnostic Gospels’ and compiled an anthology, ‘The Wisdom of Ramesh Balsekar’.
You can check out his many books on Amazon and find his most recent writings and poetry on his Facebook page where he has an active presence.
The post LG20 – Alan Jacobs – And A Voice Said, “Who Am I?” appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest is Dr. James Mallinson. In addition to being a scholar of the first order making great contributions to the academic study of Yoga, James is an old school Hatha Yogi, getting down and dirty with the sannyasins and the tappasyins, gurus and saints of India, who are carrying on the traditions and practices of the ancient Indian ascetics. Look for his upcoming book The Roots of Yoga and check out his academic writings and a whole host of other resources on his website www.khecari.com
The post LG19 – James Mallinson – Old School Hatha Yoga appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
Bo Forbes joins me to offer a glimpse into her work as a Yoga teacher and Yoga therapist. She artfully weaves together her training as a clinical psychologist and therapist with her knowledge of Yoga and contemplative practice. Bo discusses her understanding of what it means to cultivate embodied awareness, integrating the mind and body. You can find out more about her work on her website www.boforbes.com
The post LG18 – Bo Forbes – Yoga Therapy appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest is Matthew Sweeney, a senior teacher in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Tradition. We discuss the Force as elucidated by master Yoda, gross, subtle and causal dimensions of practice, and when it is appropriate to fly in the face of tradition. You can find out more about Matthew at www.yogatemple.com
Enjoy!
The post LG17 – Matthew Sweeney – The Tradition and The Person appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
Dave Oshana is a teacher of enlightenment. He has a practical and open approach to sharing, from his direct experience, the subtleties of how to live an enlightened life. On the podcast, Dave freely discusses the myths surrounding enlightenment. He both demystifies and exalts the perennial spiritual journey. Find out more about Dave at daveoshana.com
The post LG16 – Dave Oshana – Hitting The Jackpot In Every Moment appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest is Godfrey Devereux, a practitioner and teacher of Yoga with 40 years of experience. It’s a lively discussion about the essence of yoga practice, self-inquiry. www.godfridev.com, www.windfireyoga.com
The post LG15 – Godfrey Devereux – The Essence of Yoga is Inquiry appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
Mark is a scholar of the Yoga tradition with a focus on the roots of modern Yoga practice. He has made an important contribution to our understanding of recent developments in Yoga’s history with his book Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice. We discuss the recent history of Hatha Yoga and posture practice in the west. I hope you enjoy this engaged discussion. You can learn more about his work at modernyogaresearch.org
The post LG14 – Dr. Mark Singleton – Origins of Modern Yoga appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
Wayne Liquorman joins me to discuss Power and Powerlessness. He offers encouragement to look for yourself to discover the true source of who you are and what moves you to act in the world. Wayne has had a big influence on my life and I am grateful to get an opportunity to introduce him and his teaching to you. Enjoy! Find out more about Wayne and Advaita at www.advaita.org
The post LG13 – Wayne Liquorman – The Way of Powerlessness appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
Clare Soloway has a lifetime of experience as a therapist, teacher, facilitator and guide. She shares her unique and inspiring approach to life – daring to step into unknown territories of self-exploration, relationships, and offering her rich life experience as support for others on the path. In our dialogue she discusses her own personal growth, authentic relationships, assisting others and her very powerful Satori workshop that she runs throughout the year. www.claresoloway.com
The post LG12 – Clare Soloway – A Life of Continuous Discovery appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
I am joined by Yoga historian and London based Yoga teacher, Graham Burns. Graham takes us through the major developments in the history of Yoga. Though we only touch briefly on each major turn in Yoga’s 3000 year history, Graham offers a comprehensive picture of this rich and wide ranging tradition. For more about Graham got to www.samanayoga.com
The post LG11 – Graham Burns – A Brief History of Yoga appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest is Ian Davidson. We discuss his relationship with his two gurus, one embodied and one he’s never met in person. Ian shares his experience of what it’s like to find yourself devoted to a spiritual teacher. He is co-director of Le Moulin de Chaves, a Buddhist meditation center in France. Check the links for Amma and Neem Karoli Baba to find out more about their organizations.
The post LG10 – Ian Davidson – The Notion and Emotion of Devotion appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
I hope you enjoy this conversation with Wendell Henckel. He is a hidden treasure, an unassuming man with vast knowledge and a deep and soft presence. It was truly a delight to talk with him, exploring consciousness, enlightenment and meditation. Though not well known, he is an incredible resource for anyone interested in meditation or enlightenment. I feel very supportive of him and his work. Check out his unique meditation offerings on his website. Enjoy! www.henckeled.com
The post LG9 – Wendell Henckel – From the Individual to the Universal to the Absolute appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
I am joined by Rafael Ebner, a Yin Yoga teacher, a long time traveller on the path and also a close friend of mine. We talk about Yin Yoga, risking security in order to live your truth, the end of seeking and more. Rafi is a sweet soul, very tuned in to the moment, which comes across powerfully in our discussion. Enjoy! www.rafaelebner.com
The post LG8 – Rafael Ebner – Living Your Truth appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
I am joined by Carlos Pomeda, a Tantra scholar and practitioner with not only a tremendous wealth of knowledge of Yoga but a great depth of experience, as well. His joy for the practice passionately comes across in our dialogue. For more about Carlos go to www.pomeda.com
The post LG7 – Carlos Pomeda – Awareness is the Heart of Tantra appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest on this episode is Simon Low, an eclectic teacher who weaves together body, energy, philosophy and his personal journey. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. You can find out more about Simon at www.simonlow.com
The post LG6 – Simon Low – Yin and Yang Yoga appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest for this episode is June Blank. She has been teaching in the Integral Yoga lineage for over three decades. As you will hear, June is bursting with enthusiasm for Yoga. I consider myself fortunate that she was my first teacher. Its an honor to have her on the podcast. www.yogawithjune.com
The post LG005 – June Blank – The Essence of Yoga appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
Jonathan Sattin is Managing Director of Triyoga, a Yoga centre with four locations in London. In this episode we discuss life, meditation, his experiences at the ashram, his relationship with his teacher and what it’s like running a large Yoga centre.
The post LG004 – Jonathan Sattin – Meditation, Ashrams, and the Yoga Business appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
David Keil is an Ashtanga practitioner who has traveled the world teaching his YogAnatomy Workshop to teachers and students. He is a direct student of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois. In this episode we discuss the wonder of the human body and David’s relationship with his teachers. For more information about David go to www.yoganatomy.com
The post LG003 – Anatomy of a Yoganatomist appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
My guest for this episode is Michael Gannon. Michael teaches workshops, trainings and retreats around the world. In our dialogue we explore gurus — having them and being them — and other aspects of Yoga practice. For info about Michael go to www.michaelgannonyoga.com
The post LG002 – Are you a Guru? appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.
Welcome to the Lonely Guru podcast. I am Ryan Spielman, aka Lonely Guru. In these dialogues I explore with my guests what an authentic Yoga and spirituality looks like and feels like in our 21st century culture. I hope to make you think deeply about who you are and how to live. Wishing you a rich and fruitful journey!
The post LG001 – Introduction and Welcome appeared first on Ashtanga Yoga with Ryan Spielman.